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Webinar Recommendations
Please turn off your microphones
There will be a one hour presentation and one hour of questions and answers
Questions should be sent in writing, through the chat or by email to: [email protected]
The presentation will be available on PAHO website in 48 hours
Acknowledgement
The webinar is made possible by the auspices and cooperation of the Infection Control Center(CDC), according
to the cooperation agreement CDC-RFA-CK13-1302. “BUILDING CAPACITY AND NETWORKS TO ADDRESS
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN THE AMERICAS”
High level disinfection: challenges in procedures
Silvia Guerra Epidemiologist
Specialist in Hospital Infection Control
TOPICS
Definitions
Disinfection methods
Disinfectants and its characteristics
Disinfection process
Problems of high level disinfection (HLD) in endoscopy
Common errors in HLD
Conclusions
•Destruction or elimination of any type of living organisms from materials under process, including spores.
Sterilization
Disinfection process that destroys all organisms from inanimated objects, except bacterial spores, by a complete immersion of an article in a germicidal compound for a definite period of time.
High Level Disinfection
Levels of resistance
PRIONS (proteins)
SPORES
(Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes)
MYCOBACTERIAS
(Mycobacterium tuberculosis var bovis)
LIPOPHYLIC OR SMALL VIRUS
(Polio virus, Coxsackie virus, Rhinovirus)
FUNGI
(Trichophyton spp, Crytococcus spp, Cándida spp)
BACTERIAS
(P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Salmonella)
LIPOPHYLIC OR HALF SIZED VIRUSES
(Herpes simplex virus, Cytomegalovirus, Respiratory syncytial
virus, HBV, HIV) Less resistance
Greater resistance
Critical items
Surgical equipment, central line catheters,
urinary catheters, intravenous fluids among
others.
Semi-críticos
Anaesthetics machine circuits and endoscopes
Non-critical
Bed spreads, blood pressure devices, incubators and
tableware
Sterilization High level disinfection or
sterilization
Low level disinfection
Spaulding classification
Oropharyngeal cannulas, thermometers, tableware, mechanical ventilators’ corrugated tubing, and endoscopes are all classified as “semi-critical” and….they don’t have the same risk
Difficulties with Spaulding
classification
Over- simplification of Spaulding Classification
It does not consider different risks for items in the same category.
Decision in reprocessing should depend in the nature of the item in itself and the type of procedure in which is going to be used.
Spaulding classification needs some changes…
When Spaulding designed his scheme 50 years ago, semi-critical items where rarely introduced in
sterile tissues and lacked of an adequate risk assessment associated
with reprocessing of endoscopes, mainly those to be reused for
surgical purposes (ECRP).
It should be changed into « item with direct contact or secondary/indirect
with sterile tissues»
Disinfectants assessment
Consider: Type of materials
(Spaulding classification) Microbiological challenge
(design and other problems)
Possible damage to equipment (compatibility)
Occupational risks in healthcare workers
Thermal disinfection
Pasteurization
Originally implemented by Louis Pasteur.
HLD uses this process. Water is heated up to 77°C and kept in that temperature for approximately 30 minutes.
Destroys all organisms, except bacterial spores.
Chemical disinfection
Items or surfaces are kept in contact with chemical agents classified as high level disinfectants.
Methods of disinfection
Disinfectants: Ideal characteristics
Wide spectrum
Stable in organic residues
Compatible with equipment materials
Measurable activity and concentrations
Fast action
Prolonged half-life
Odorless
Degradable in environment
Low toxicity
Cost-efective
High level disinfectants approved by FDA
Germicides Concentration
Glutaraldehyde > 2%
Orto-phtalaldehyde 0.55%
Hydrogen peroxide* 7.5%
Hydrogen peroxide and y Peracetic acid* 1.0%/0.08%
Hydrogen peroxide and y Peracetic acid* 7.5%/0.23%
*Risk of cosmetic and functional damage • http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ode/germlab.html
• ANSI-AMI ST58:2013 Chemical sterilization and high-level disinfection in health care facilities
1. Active ingredient concentration
2. Contact time
3. Temperature
4. Maximum number of reuses
HIGH LEVEL DISINFECTANTS
FDA approves a product defining:
FDA
European community
Efficacy test simulating worst conditions, without washing Times are longer than for EC Information of compatibility with equipment and job security is required
Efficacy tests simulating clean equipment Times are shorter than for FDA Compatibility studies under discussion.
Regulations for High level disinfection
Pre-cleaning of equipment
Type and level of microbial
contamination.
Concentration and exposure time to
disinfectant
Physical characteristics of equiopment
under disinfection
Process pH and temperature.
Factors affecting high level disinfection process
Stabilized solutions of hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peracetic acid
HLD 25 min, reuse: 14 days
They have a strong odor
Buffers, anticorrosives and surfactants can be included
Limited experience with endoscopes
Fumes can irritate nose, throat and lungs
Contact with solution can cause skin burns and eye damage
Peracetic acid + Hydrogen peroxide
Formula for automatic processes at 35% which is diluted with a buffer, surfactants and anticorrosives. It is used at 0.2%
Time needed for mechanical sterilization: 12 min. a 50-56º C. Total cycle: 30 minutes.
During the cycle time, temperature and concentration are under automatic control.
Rinse with sterile water, through 0.2 micron filters
Uses chemical and biological indicators
Suitable for endoscopes and submersible laparoscopes
Peracetic acid
For MANUAL processing:
HLV: 30 min.
Can corrode surfaces with copper, bronze, steel, and galvanized metals
Highly irritant
Its action can be reduced by additives and pH changes
To be discarded after its use expensive
Peracetic acid
Available in ready-to-use dilutions: 1% hydrogen peroxide and 0,08% peracetic acid.
At 20º C, esterilizes in 8 hours and HLD in 25 min.
Reusable for 14 days.
Non-irritant and free of skin damage.
Peracetic acid + Hydrogen peroxide
7,5% hydrogen peroxide, 0.85% phosphoric acid andy 91,65% inert ingredients.
Reuse: 21 días, does not require activation.
Minimum effective concentration for hydrogen peroxide is 6,0%.
HLD in 30’ at 20º C and sterilizes at 20º C in 6 hours.
Can be used in automatic and manual processing.
Can cause discoloration of equipment.
Suitable for disinfecting contact lenses and respirators.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
2% GLUTARALDEHYDE
Wide compatibility.
Duration: 14 days without surfactants, and 28-30 days with surfactants
Formulas with surfactants are not compatible with automated endoscopes reprocessors (AER) due to foam production.
Heat cycles in AER must guarantee reaching adequate temperature in reprocessing chamber.
Glutaraldehyde, concentrations and conditions for HLD, according to FDA
Glutaraldehyde Contact conditions
1,12% glutaraldehyde, 1.93% phenol-phenate
25° C , 20 min
2,4 a 2,6% glutaraldehyde without surfactants
20-25° C , 45 min
2,4 a 2,5% glutaraldehyde with surfactants
20-25° C , 45-90 min
2,5% glutaraldehyde without surfactants
35° C , 5 min (only in AER, keeping temperature)
3-4% glutaraldehyde without surfactants
20-25°C , 20-90 min
3,4% glutaraldehyde, 20,1% isopropanol
20°C , 10 min
http://www.fda.gov.uy/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/ReprocessingofSingle-UseDevices/ucm133514.htm
Throat and lungs irritation
Asthma like symptoms
Breathing difficulties
Nose irritation,
Sneezes
Nose bleeding
Eye irritation and conjunctivitis
Skin rash
Alergic or contact dermititis
(chemical dermatitis)
Spotting of hands
Urticaria
Headaches
Nausea
Occupational risks using glutaraldehyde
0.55% Ortophtalaldehyde
Excelent microbicidal activity.
Great stability in pH ranges of 3 – 9
Dose not require activation, stable for 14 days.
Does not bind to blood or proteins.
High compatibility with equipments.
No nose or eye irritation.
HLD in manual processing
1. Instrument and equipment should be free of any organic residues.
2. Was rinsed and dried thoroughly.
3. HLD must be approved by IPC Committee.
4. Solution must be in its valid period.
Expires:__/__/__
High level disinfection controls
Reactive strips or electronic meters needed to check minimum effective concentration (MEC) of its active principle, needed to eliminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Checking must be done on a daily basis or according to disinfectant use
MEC
OPA >= 0,30%
Glutaraldehyde>= 1,5%
Hydrogen peroxide: 6,0% Tiras MEC
5. Solutions must be handled with an adequate protection.
6. Inmersion time and temperature for HLD must agree manufacturer’s recommendation, according approval for each product by regulatory agencies.
HLD manual processing
7. Immerse COMPLETELY all materials to be disinfected, check entrance of disinfectant through lumens. Size of container and volume of disinfectant must guarantee complete immersion.
HLD manual processing
8. Containers must be kept covered to avoid evaporation of toxic fumes into the environment.
9. Once immersion time required is accomplished, withdraw equipment with aseptic technique and rinse with sterile water. No agreement on ideal rinse. Rinsing is essential to reduce chemical residues to safe levels.
10. Dry with sterile cloth.
HLD manual processing
1. Uncover 2. Immerse and irrigate equipment 3. Time
4. Withdraw equipment 5. Rinse through immersion for 3 min.
x 3 min, repeat with adequate water
6. Dry
HLD manual processing
High level disinfection in automated endoscope reprocessors
Diminishes variability and errors in processing.
Difficulties in its use are related to: Contamination of AER/ Biofilm
Inadequate connections of channels
Outbreaks associated with contamination of these equipments with Gram negative rods and non- tuberculous Mycobacteria have been reported, due to biofilm or resistance to disinfectant.
Infection risks using AER
Defective and contaminated AER can result in an improper reprocessing and endoscopes contamination. It has been associated with infection outbreaks. ( Gastroenterology 92 : 759-763, ICHE 22 : 414-418, JHI 46 : 23-30 ).
Biofilms in AER have been detected in these outbreaks.
( A.m. J. Med. 91 ( 3B : S272-S280 ), ICHE 22 : 414-418, J Hosp Infect 46 : 23-30)
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
High level disinfection is done but not adequately managed in all facilities and areas within.
1
• No thorough list of all areas in which HLD is done in a hospital.
Who’s responsible of the supervision?
• A list identifying all areas with HLD must be kept and known. Uniform protocols and supervision.
Processes are not standardized in all the organization 2
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
Standardized policies and procedures for decontamination, transport, storage and HLD must be developed in all the organization. Processing records and stardandized quality controls should be developed. Flexibility in record reports can be allowed as long as they provide necessary data (can improve accomplishment and sustainability)
Clean and dirty are not separated. 3
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
• Separate clean and dirty areas. • Signage for clean and dirty areas wil be helpful in keeping
separation. • Work flow should go from dirty to clean. • Always make sure that no splashes from dirty area might
contaminate clean area. • If necessary clean or dirty areas should be kept in separte
rooms to provide a safe division
Teams do not follow manufacturers’ use instructions (IFU) to decontaminate and process properly all instruments and equipments.
4
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
Soaking times and temperatures must be fulfilled with no variations. Manufacturer’s indications and specifications must be applied to guarantee that the process brings out a desired outcome. Help the correct process be done easily.
Reporting of processes’ quality control is not adequate.
5
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
Quality control tests should be done as the manufacturer indicates and its
results should be kept in a quality control report.
Place instructions in a visible place in the working area.
Make sure that MEC strips corresponds to product been used, time of
immersion and reading.
Makes sure that quality control forms include a place where to record
solution temperature (if manufacturer mentions it) and reporting when a
new solution is being prepared.
Teams do not keep records of processing that are required 6
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
1. These records should include patient’s identification, doctor, the procedure and all information needed to track instruments to a patient.
2. Initials of technician in charge of the procedure and recording of AER for every process done. Or detail report of the manual processing.
Omission of records of HLD in endoscope happens frequently
3) Keep records of disinfectants, validity, MEC, day/hour/procedure and patient for each endoscope
4) Keep records of preventive maintenance and repairing of endoscopes and reprocessing equipment (ie, leak testers, automated endoscope reprocessors, sterilizers).
5) Data should include investigation of critical events such as failures of AER.
6) Keep records according to local policies of storage of information in the facility. This should include data for AER and withdrawn endoscopes.
Teams do not keep records of processing that are required
6
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
The processed equipment is stored improperly. 7
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
Equipments processed under HLD must be stored assuring it is saved in optimal conditions for its use in a next patient. A clean cover, such as a plastic clean and transparent bag. For endoscopes, they must be stored hanging completely dry in all its length.
Facilities do not assess capabilities done by qualified personnel. 8
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
«Personnel with training, experience or knowledge related with skills that are assessed evaluates capabilities»
«Train the trainer» and teach a small group of people on how to assess capabilities to perform HLD.
There is no supervision process to guarantee a constant compliance.
9
10 frequent problems with high level disinfection
Supervisor are not trained in HLD and sterilization processes.
10
An important critical element is to specially assign a person, committee or responsible team in charge of monitoring and assessing, and to guarantee that improvement measures are applied when necessary. Each organization must define how to settle responsabilities in supervision.
Consider potential hazards associated with medical devices.
Endoscopes are always in the list.
AAMI Highlights problems dealing with maintenance and reprocessing
of endoscopes.
Important aspects
Aunque las infecciones relacionadas a endoscopia digestiva no son las más frecuentes en hospitales....
El endoscopio es un dispositivo médico involucrado muchas veces en BROTES de infecciones.
Damage Costs
Discredit
Contaminated endoscopes are the
medical devices most frequently
related to outbreaks in hospitals
Duodenoscopes have been ften
related with trasmission of
carbapenemase-producing
Enterbacteriaceae
Infections due to flexible endoscopes
EXOGENOUS INFECTIONS
ENDOGENOUS INFECTIONS
Albornoz H & Guerra, S. Manual Prevención de infecciones en procedimientos endoscópicos. COCEMI. 2008
Challenges Bacterial load: 107-10 CFU/gastrointestinal endoscope. Complexity: elevator channel
Surgical instruments <103 bacterias
Bacterial load in soiled endoscopes
Author Type of endoscope
Initial contamination (log 10 CFU/mL)
Decreasing log 10 After cleaning
Average decreasing log
Hanson 1989-1991
Gastro 4.9 b 6.5 b
0-2.2 4.7-4.9
Chu 1998 Gastro 5.71d 9.85 c
4.34 5.11
4.7
Vesley 1999 Gastro Colon
6.7 g 8.5 c
2.0 2.3
4.7 6.2
Alfa 1999 Duodenum Colon
6.84 8.46
4.79 4.27
2.1 4.2
Kovacs 1999 Gastro 7.95 b 3.89 4.1
a- 0 value for bacterias, that represent absolute after cleaning b- experimentally contaminated endoscopes c- bioburden in suction channels d- bioburden on surface of device
Rutala,W.,&Weber,D.J. (2004) Reprocessing endoscopes:United Sates perspective.
Reasons for HAIs outbreaks in endoscopy: no security margins!
Security margins in reprocessing of endoscopes is minimum or does not exist for 3 reasons
Bacterial load
GI endoscope contains 107-10 enteral microorganisms
Results after cleaning: decreases 2-6 log10
HLD decreases 4-6 log10
Total results: decrease of 6-12 log10
Low security margins (compared to 17 log10 with cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments)
Endoscope complexity
Length, lumens, difficulties in cleaning (hannels, elevator channel)
Biofilm
Rutala WA, Weber DJ. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36:643-648
“If safety margin is so small that perfection is
required in reprocessing, then the process is
extremely relentless to be practical in a hospital”
Reprocessing by HLD of duodenoscopes for ERCP
September 2009 in two hospitals in Paris, France..
Outbreak of 13 patients with KPC (4 infected and 9 colonized)
Primary case was a patient from a Greek hospital.
Of the 13 cases, 7 were secondary cases and associated with a contaminated dudodenoscope used in primary case (attack rate: 41%) and 5 were secondary cases with a patient transferred to another hospital.
Key Conclusions
K. pneumoniae grew in cultures from
endoscopes
Attack rate for KPC 41%
Cleaning and disinfection was done
properly (with peracetic acid)
Drying process was inadequate
K.pneumoniae survived sevreal cleaning and disinfection processes
What happened with infections by carbapenemase producing
Enterobacteriaceae in endoscopies, in USA?
September/2013, Hospital and Medical Center Virginia Mason in Seattle, Washington, a group of infected patients were tracked in which a duodenoscope was used to treat pancreas and biliary duct disease.
Around the same time, personnel from General Advocate Lutheran Hospital, with support from CDC, linked in a similar way an outbreak by superbacterias with duodenoscope used in ERCP.
Both hospitals concluded that duodenoscopes for ERCP remained contaminated, even after a thorough cleaning, dissseminating bacterias among patients.
The growing problema of carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae
Outbreaks were related to duodenoscopes used in ERCP
Some procedures done in ERCP are: stones extraction from common bile duct, plastic or metalic tubing placement (prosthesis or stents) in common bile duct or páncreas in treating strictures, fistulas or other problems affecting these ducts
Carbapenemase producing E. coli- NDM-1 outbreaks from contaminated duodenoscopes
University hospital with 650 beds in Chicago, USA
After manual cleaning and high level disinfection in a automated endoscope reprocessor, positive cultures were obtained from ERCP duodenoscope used in 5 patients.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2014; 62: 1051 [PMID: 24381080]
39.7% Transmission 6.3% Transmission 20.3% Transmission
Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli Associated With Exposure to Duodenoscopes. JAMA.2014;312(14):1447–1455. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.12720
How these outbreaks were known?
Due to the type of microorganisms involved
(carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae) this
transmission of infections and colonizations arouse
an alert.
Retrospective review and direct observation of
endoscopes reprocessing did not indentify failures in
reprocessing protocol.
What was happening with the duodenoscopes?
Forceps elevator
Forceps elevator is particularly difficult to clean and requires additional cleaning steps to wht was described up to that moment. Endoscopes design were a challenge for cleaning and disinfection.
1. Kirschke DL, Jones TF, Craig AS, et al. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens contamination associated with a manufacturing defect in brochoscopes. N Eng J Med 2003;348:214-20.
2. Srinivasan A, Wolfenden LL, Song X, et al. An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections associated with flexible bronchoscopes. N Eng J Med 2003;348:221-7.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOSPITALS THAT DON’T REPORT TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Improved design of duodenoscopes (FDA approval 20/9/2017)
“Improve security in endoscopes is a priority for FDA,
and we encourage manufacturers to pursue innovations that help in reducing risk in patients”
Would duodenoscopes sterilization with ETO be the
solution?
1. Published report: In 1/84 duodenoscopes carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriacea was found after sequence of HLD and ETO (Naryzhny I et al Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2016, Aug; 84 (2): 259 – 62)
2. If there is organic residues or salts ETO fails.. (Alfa et al ICHE 1996;17:92-100).
3. Long aireating periods(18-24 h): increases delay in rotation for its use. Is it feasible in Latinamerica?
Even though sterilization is the option: perform a proper flushing and cleaning of endoscope channels!
• Pathogens must be exposed to HLD for inactivation.
• Immersion of endoscopes in HLD or sterilization does not guarantee inactivation of pathogens from channels!
• Only a thorough cleaning (brushing) and immersion of endoscope in HLD and perfusion with siringe in channels eliminates contamination.
Exposure method
Contamination with EPC before HLD with glutaraldehyde
Contamination with EPC after HLD
DAN passive (no perfusion)
3,2x108
1,9x109
4,1x108
3,1x108
4,6x108
1,0x108
DAN active
(perfusion in channels with syringe)
3.0x108
9,2x108
8,4x108
0 0 0
Rutala W et al. ICHE. 2016;37:228-231
If we have historical trends of non-compliance , we must teach and get resources to comply with:
1. Don clean gloves to handle reprocessed endoscopes 2. Visual inspection to identify damages in pre cleaning 3. Brush channels several times 4. Do tests to verify cleanliness 5. Clean and disinfect conainers used for transport after its use 6. Use manifying glass and light source for visual inspection 7. Test minimum effective concentration of disinfectant after each use 8. Unload AER promptly aftyer cycle has ended 9. Dry endoscope completely before storage 10.Transport for storage must be done in a clean container 11.For storage use cabinets with filtered air and positive pressure 12.Use biological risk tags in soiled containers 13.Place a tag with information of reprocessing
What conditions are necessary from health personnel for endoscopes reprocessing?
It is not a task for newly hired personnel. Must be performed by a trained, skilled and certified technician.
Training must be repeated at least anually and whenever new equipments are included.
Personnel must show skills (be evaluated)
• There are limited reports on surveillance cultures besides outbreaks.
• Surveillance culture DO NOT replace proper training in reprocessing practices.
CDC recommendations for culturing duodenoscopes
During an epidemic outbreak, CDC endorses surveillance culturing to identify contaminated endoscopes and to avoid permanent contamination
Protocol suggests notifying manufacturers of possible defective devices when bacterias are persistently isolated in cultures.
Notify patients of posible risks of patient to patient bacterial transmission, related with the procedure, and assess training of personnel in charge of cleaning and disinfecting.
Verify cleanliness before HLD
Use fast cleaning tests before disinfection or sterilization [AORN, AAMI]
Visual examination of endoscopeto see if it is soiled [SGNA]. Boroscopes can be used (3.2mm a 0.8mm). Must be done with clean endoscope with an established protocol of boroscope disinfection.
Factors affecting reprocessing
Although studies in outbreaks of EPC, show transmission of multidrug resistant organisms, even with properly done procedures, there are an important number of outbreaks and infections associated to failures in cleaning and disinfection processes
Let us see which are those…..
Reprocessing would be effective if done properly, but several factors alter its efficacy (Edmiston & Spencer 2014; Dirlam Langlay, Ofstead, Mueller et al, 2014; Petersen et al, 2011; Rutala y Weber, 2015).
Endoscope Personnel A.E.R. Procedure
Endoscopes carry complex designs, that makes thorough cleaning difficult in order to eliminate all organic residuals and microorganisms (Ej. canal de ascenso del duodenoscopio.) (Edmiston & Spencer, 2014; Rutala y Weber, 2015);
A variety of endoscope models require different cleaning procedures, brushes, connectors, etc.
Hidden damages (i.e., scratches, cracks) capture microorganisms and promote biofilm formation.
Repeatedly used endoscopes drives to a gradual acummulation of residues, that may favor microbial survival after disinfection.
End
osc
op
e
Lack of knowledge of endoscope channels, accesories and specific steps to be followed (Peterson et al, 2011);
Reduced staff to adequately support workload, work flows and performance; frequent interruptions during reprocessing (AAMI, 2015);
Inadequate training; limited responsibilities; and pressures for a rapid reuse of endoscopes (high rotation)
Personnel
Reprocessing includes certain characteristics that make their efficacy more difficult, including:
Several steps that have to be followed meticulously;
Stepds that are liable of human errors (i.e., previous cleaning, manual cleaning);
Delayed reprocessing; insufficient enzimatic concentration, temperatura and time;
Process
I
Reprocessing includes certain characteristics that make their efficacy more difficult, including (continued):
Inappropiate HLD (i.e., wrong concentration or temperature, reuse life expired, shortened exposition time) (Dirlam Langlay, Ofstead, Mueller et al, 2014);
Inadequate concentration since endoscope is not dried properly and water excess dilutes HLD;
Inadequate cleaning before HLD;
Inadequate drying before storage; and
Absence of quality control measures to evidence problems or failures in reprocessing.
Process
II
Frequent errors
Not cleaning channels,
No adequate evaluation of channels permeability or leaks
Using insufficient fluid volumes through all channels.
No proper care of brushes and accesories
¡¡¡NOT THOROUGHLY DRYINNG CHANNELS!!!
Guarantee staff skills
(training) Routinely Audit processes
(CIH)
Problems can occur with automated endoscope reprocessors (AER), such as:
Equipment malfunctioning (i.e washing pumps in AER);
Using wrong connectors to help irrigate channels during pump washing or with AERs; and
Not acknowledged problems in wáter supply (i.e. contamination)
Biofilm A.E.R.
Concluding:
Train personnel
Make sure each step is done correctly
Perform cleaning tests
Follow manufacturers’ instructions
Audit and supervise practices
Define strategies to minimize risks
Transmission of CJD and vCJD through endoscopes is currently a THEORETICAL RISK. No acses have been documented. (2,3).
1. ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Banerjee S, Chen B, et al. ASGE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE COMMITTEE, Banerjee S, Shen B, Nelson DB, Lichtenstein DR, Baron TH, Anderson MA, Dominitz JA, Gan SI, Harrison ME, Ikenberry SO, Jagannath SB, Fanelli RD, Lee K, van Guilder T, Stewart LE. Infection control during GI endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008 May;67:781-90
2. (46) Nelson DB, Muscarella LF. Current issues in endoscope reprocessing and infection control during gastrointestinal endoscopy. World J Gastroenterol 2006;12:3953-64. 3. (80) Axon ATR, Beilenhoff U, Bramble MG, et al. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and gastrointestinal endoscopy. Endoscopy 2001;33:1070-80.
Clostridium difficile.
Only one report of a possible transmission of C. difficile developing a fulminant Pseudomembranous colitis after a colonoscopy (1).
Risk of C. difficile infection after digestive endoscopy is extremely low (2).
Glutaraldehyde 2%, OPA and peracetic acid are capable of destroying a great number of C. difficile spores with exposition times of 5 – 20 min. (3-5).
1. Poutanen SM, Simor AE. 2004. Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults. CMAJ 171:51–58 2. Selinger CP, Greer S, Sutton CJ. 2010. Is gastrointestinal endoscopy a risk factor for Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea? Am. J. Infect. Control 38:581–582. 3. Hughes CE, Gebhard RL, Peterson LR, Gerding DN. 1986. Efficacy of routine fiberoptic endoscope cleaning and disinfection for killing Clostridium difficile. Gastrointest. Endosc. 32:7–9. 4. Rutala WA, Gergen MF, Weber DJ. 1993. Inactivation of Clostridium difficile spores by disinfectants. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 14:36–39. 5. Wullt M, Odenholt I, Walder M. 2003. Activity of three disinfectants and acidified nitrite against Clostridium difficile spores. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 24:765–768.
No need to change common practices for endoscope disinfection in C. difficile
… but clean and disinfect carefully the
settings where a procedure was performed!
CONCLUSIONS
If a proper processing protocol is accomplished, risk of infection in endoscopy is low (exception made for duodenoscopes).
Disinfectants must be effective, compatibles and instructions for use must be followed.
Due to a high number of failures in reprocessing, key aspects are training personnel and assessors, stick to protocols, keep an alert attitude for adverse events and timely communication.